Roman Reigns

From: Pensacola, Florida, USA

Finishing Move: The Spear

Status: No1 Contender for The WWE Heavyweight Title

Originally a collegiate American football player, Roman Reigns (real name Leati Joseph Anoa’i) played for Georgia Tech, Minnesota Vikings and Edmonton Eskimos, and tried to forge a career as a professional American football player.

After he was released in 2008 from the Edmonton Eskimos he decided to change disciplines and move to professional wrestling.

In 2010 he was contractually signed to WWE, and in late 2012 made his main roster debut as a member of the formidable faction known as The Shield. During his time in The Shield, Reigns became WWE tag team champion with team member Seth Rollins.

His rise from amateur signee on a developmental contract, to 2015 Royal Rumble winner is loosely considered one of the fastest accents in recent WWE history.

His controversial win at this years 2015 Royal Rumble will see him face off against UFC and WWE heavy weight Broc Lesnar at Wrestlemania 31 at the end of the month.

Reigns is the latest WWE superstar to emerge from the Anoa’i Samoan dynasty of professional wrestlers.

The incredible list of athletes to emerge from this family over three generations include Tag Team duo, The Headshrinkers, 3 Minute Warning, Umaga, Rikishi, Yokozuna, Sika, international movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and recent WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka.